At Woolfson Eye Institute, our commitment to customized vision is why, in addition to LASIK, we offer a variety of other refractive surgery options designed to improve vision problems caused by refractive errors. These alternative treatment options allow us to treat patients who are not good candidates for LASIK.

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is an alternative to LASIK. For individuals with corneal scarring, thin corneas, and other corneal conditions, PRK may be the best treatment option. As with all refractive patients, during your comprehensive evaluation, you will be advised if PRK is the treatment option ideally suited for you to achieve Your Best Vision at Any Age.

Please click below for a brief but detailed animation.

As you have seen, rather than creating a corneal flap, your surgeon will use a laser to gently remove a portion of the corneal epithelium in order to expose the deeper corneal tissue beneath it. The cornea is then reshaped with a laser just as it is in LASIK. After PRK, you will be fitted with protective contact lenses to prevent damage to your eyes while the corneal epithelium grows back.

Your PRK results will be comparable to those who undergo LASIK with the exception that patients who undergo PRK have longer recovery time because the corneal epithelium must be regrown.